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1816IIHF News from www.iifh.comTYPO3 - get.content.righthttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssTue, 26 Sep 2017 10:52:00 +0200New President, GS for Japanhttp://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12015
Federation appoints Akihisa Mizuno to top jobThe Japan Ice Hockey Federation has announced that Mr. Akihisa Mizuno will assume the leadership of the Japan Ice Hockey Federation as President, succeeding Mr. Kenichi Chizuka. The change was approved last weekend at the JIHF General and Council meetings held on 23 - 24 September.

Mizuno, 64, has also been serving also as Chairman of the Board and Representative Director in Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. After joining Chubu in 1978, he held various positions including Manager of Chubu's office in Washington and General Manager of the International Business Department. He also served as Consultant for the World Bank. He has been the Chairman and Director at Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated since June 2015 and June 2008 respectively.

In addition to Mizuno, Mr. Tsutomu Hanzawa was appointed as the new JIHF New General Secretary. He is a former player for the national team, who represented Japan in the Olympics in 1972, 1976 and 1980.

]]>Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:52:00 +0200Olympic schedule released http://pyeongchang2018.iihf.hockey/men/news/og_schedule/
Games set for men’s, women’s tournamentsKOREA – The dates and matchups for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey events have been set with the release of both the men’s and women’s tournament schedules.

]]>Mon, 25 Sep 2017 14:55:00 +0200Olympic medals unveiledhttp://pyeongchang2018.iihf.hockey/men/news/og_medals/
Design draws on Korean heritageMon, 25 Sep 2017 13:59:00 +0200Pyatt rejuvenated http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12012
Forward re-worked his game in Switzerland TORONTO – When Tom Pyatt decided to take his hockey career to Switzerland three years ago, he knew he might have closed the door on ever playing in the National Hockey League again.

The veteran of 255 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning signed a one-year contract with the option for a second season with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss league in August 2014.

“I knew it was a possibility that I could be there for the rest of my career, but I was OK with it,” claims Pyatt. “I didn’t go there just to end my career, I wanted to get better, work on my skills and, you never know, you can always come back.”

The decision to go to Switzerland was also helped by the fact that Tom’s older brother Taylor Pyatt, a veteran of 859 games and 14 NHL seasons, had already signed with Servette.

Because of the six-year difference in age, the 2014-15 season was the only time the brothers spent playing together on the same team.

“I played against him a bit in the NHL, but when we were younger just on the outdoor rink,” he recalls his previous experience sharing the ice with his older brother. “I think for half that year we were on the same line, so that was pretty neat.”

“Being in professional hockey games together, it was a great experience. Being in the same room as him, I sat next to him in the dressing room too, so that’s a season we’ll always remember.”

After two seasons in the National League A, where he scored 22 goals and 62 points over 92 regular season games, Pyatt signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators in May 2016.

The opportunity to once again play under head coach Guy Boucher, who Pyatt played for during two seasons in Tampa Bay, has helped the 30-year-old transitioning back to the NHL game.

“I kind of knew what to expect when it comes to his systems. It still took some time to get it back, but I think we’re all on the same page now.”

Adapting to Boucher’s system, however, wasn’t the only adjustment for the 2005 fourth-round draft pick of the New York Rangers.

“It’s a hectic schedule,” said Pyatt of the 82 games in the NHL. “Switzerland only has 50 games, it’s a lot lighter, and you get to go home a lot. (In the NHL) you’re on the road quite a bit. The next couple weeks we’re on the road a lot so I think it’s the number of games you have to get used to. It’s a grind, but it’s fun.”

With the lighter schedule, Pyatt, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Thunder Bay, Ontario was able to travel to countries he’d never visited before – a perk of his decision to take his hockey career to Europe.

“That was one of the nice things: the international breaks. The team would give us 3-4 days off and Switzerland is so centrally located, an hour flight takes you to Barcelona, Venice, London - once you’re there, everything is so close”.

But what was his favorite vacation spot?

“Tough to say. Barcelona was pretty good, however I really liked London too. It was pretty nice. You kind of get lost walking around.”

In general, going to Europe was certainly beneficial for Pyatt.

“I think actually going overseas helped me out a lot,” said Pyatt. “I got myself in more offensive situations, I was playing power play. Definitely improved my defensive game being over there. I brought some skills back here and I think that’s the part of my game I’m pretty happy (with) right now.”

Indeed, his time in the Swiss League seems to have paid off. In 2016/17, Pyatt set personal bests for games played (82) and points (23) in an NHL season.

DHIREN MAHIBAN

]]>Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:14:00 +0200Capital challengehttp://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12011
Ukraine coach eager to make his mark in ScotlandEDINBURGH - Having yet to record a winning season in the history of the Elite League, the Edinburgh Capitals have turned their sights east to try and signal a new dawn.

Expectations have been raised around the Capitals, as they get their twelfth season in the Elite League (EIHL) underway this weekend. With perennial play-off qualifiers Braehead Clan making the short drive east from Glasgow, the Capitals step out on the ice following a frantic off-season activity.

While the British game has historically relied on North American contributions, the Capitals have instead embarked down the opposite direction in search for a cutting edge for the 2017/18 season, with six of the new signees hold a Russian passport. A major part in the club's new formula for success will be coming from the bench, with Dmytro Khrystych hand-picked as the man to lead the team to new heights.

"During the last four seasons, the Edinburgh Capitals have finished last in the standings three times. Now there is a new attitude in the city, coming from me and from the new players, so we are going to try to make the play-offs and then continue from there," said an optimistic head coach Khrystych ahead of his new challenge.

Kyiv-born Khrystych played twelve seasons in the NHL as a forward and made two NHL All-Star appearances. An ensuing coaching career has so far seen Khrystych be part of the coaching staff at the international level with his native Ukraine and as a video coach at club level in the KHL. Now at the age of 48, he steps into his first job as professional head coach and into uncharted waters on the British Isles.

One of his previous bouts with the British game came during his three years working as assistant coach for Ukraine. At the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division I Group B played in his native Kyiv, hosts Ukraine were aiming for a return to the top division. Instead, their promotion campaign derailed right from the outset.

"We were hoping to win gold during that tournament and our first game was against Great Britain. It was a game we did not expect to lose, but that's what happened and in the end we finished in third place," recalled Khrystych.

Now six and a half years later, Khrystych is about experience the British game first hand. He was introduced to the vacant coaching position in Edinburgh by his close friend Andrei Nikolishin. A World champion at both senior and junior level, Nikolishin previously had brief stints as head coach for Traktor Chelyabinsk and Amur Khabarovsk in the KHL and was hired in the offseason to assist the Capitals with their player recruitment.

After the addition of the Guildford Flames and Milton Keynes Lightning into the EIHL, the league's four Scottish participants, the Fife Flyers, Braehead Clan, Dundee Stars and Edinburgh Capitals, now solely make up the Gardiner Conference with many feisty encounters to look forward to this season.

Khrystych’s first test came at the Elite Scottish Cup held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Ice Rink earlier this month. Billed as a new annual venture aiming to promote the game north of the border, it saw the Capitals finish third following a 3-0 win over Dundee Stars. The result was significant from a defensive perspective as one of their new Russian recruits, 24-year-old Pavel Shegalo enjoyed the first shut-out for a Capitals netminder in three years. .

"Nikolishin offered me a lot of good advice. Not only in terms of tactics, but also how to work with the new guys from Russia and to help them in a new country, where some of them don't even speak the language," said Khrystych, as his team hopes to click into gear ahead of the looming league opener.

"Mistakes were made during the games we played so far, but we learn from them as we try to have a much better outcome for the season. We will be looking to play aggressively when possible going forward, but at the same time we need to keep it smart in our own zone."

HENRIK MANNINEN

]]>Wed, 20 Sep 2017 13:31:00 +0200We are the champions!http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12010
Winners from dozens of countriesThey have battled through the regular season and in many countries also through the playoffs. And in the end all of them hoisted the trophy and celebrated being the best in their countries.

Here’s a list of winners from national men’s championships from most of the IIHF member countries.

“It’s kind of hard to work on faceoffs over the summer, you’re just trying to get stronger, watch a little bit of film and all that,” said McDavid at a recent camp in Toronto. “Obviously trying to build my game in all areas, face-offs is definitely an area I struggle in and definitely trying to get better.”

McDavid admitted part of his improvement will come from watching veterans and learning how to cheat a little in the circle.

“I think it’s a little bit of that. I think it’s just getting stronger though,” he said. “You think of all the guys that are really good around the league, they do have good technique, but it’s just how strong they are. Getting older and more experience.”

It’s the experience of last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs, which has McDavid and his teammates excited heading into the 2017-18 season where they’re favourites to challenge for a Stanley Cup. In June the Oilers were pegged at 12-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup – only the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-1) had better odds.

“It’s exciting, but it really doesn’t mean anything,” said McDavid. “It’s up to us to figure out how good we’re going to be and if we’re willing to put in all the work. I think everyone’s been having a good summer and everyone’s anxious to get back.”

The Oilers snapped a decade-long playoff drought in Edmonton finishing second in the Pacific Division last season. After knocking off a veteran San Jose Sharks squad the Oilers fell in seven games of the second round to the Anaheim Ducks.

That taste of playoff action has the likes of defenceman Darnell Nurse excited for more.

“I think that’s the greatest motivator of all is having been through that experience,” said Nurse. “It was cut a little shorter than anyone ever wanted. I know we probably weren’t expected to get to the point we were at last year, (but) for us, (we) definitely weren’t satisfied just to get to that point. It’s fun to have the higher expectations, but at the same time, coming in with the same mindset, having fun and work hard everyday.”

With the lofty expectations, the Oilers know they’ll have a larger target on their backs this season as opponents play them harder each and every night.

“There’s definitely not going to be any surprises, especially at the beginning of the season,” said Nurse. “Everyone is going to be well prepared - that’s what comes with growth, when teams grow. For us, we’ve got to continue to grow. I don’t think anyone was satisfied with just getting to the playoffs last year and getting one round win. I think everyone is highly motivated for this year and getting better.”

McDavid finished the 2016/17 season with 30 goals and 70 assists in 82 regular season games. The Oilers captain added five goals and four assists in 13 playoff games.

During the summer the Oilers rewarded McDavid, who won gold with Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, with a new eight-year, $100 million contract extension.

In addition to the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer and the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP, McDavid also took home the Ted Lindsay Award – awarded to the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted on by the players.

The accolades and expectations don’t faze McDavid as he embarks on his third NHL season.

“It doesn’t really change much,” he said. “For us, everyone has always had the same mindset and last year we were able to find a little success, but it shouldn’t change anything.

“Every year is a new year and you look at the turn over between every year and teams that made the playoffs last year aren’t a guarantee to make the playoffs next year. It’s always turning over and you’ve got to re-establish yourself early.”

DHIREN MAHIBAN]]>Sat, 16 Sep 2017 16:07:00 +0200Logo for U18 Worldshttp://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12008
Ural region well represented as it welcomes juniorsThe event will take place in the cities of the Ural region from 19 to 29 April 2018.

The key element of the logo are symbols of the region: the Ural mountains and the Ural river that symbolize the special location of the host cities and the natural diversity of the region. Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk belong to the biggest cities of the southern Ural area.

The Ural river, which is metamorphosed into a puck shot at high speed in the logo, is the natural water boundary between Asia and Europe. It separates the Chelyabinsk Region – and even the city of Magnitogorsk – between a European and an Asian part.

The tournament’s corporate design visible for example on posters and tickets will include a background with artistically adapted floral ornaments that represent the traditions of Russian folk art.

Group A in Magnitogorsk will include defending champion USA, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland and Belarus.

Group B will be played in Chelyabinsk with Finland, host Russia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and recently promoted France.

Both venues will host two quarter-final games while Chelyabinsk will host the semi-finals and medal games.

The game schedule and the official website with more information will be released in autumn.]]>Fri, 15 Sep 2017 11:26:00 +0200Provisional suspensionshttp://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12007
Two Ukrainian players to be investigatedThe two players of the Ukrainian men’s national team are provisionally suspended from all ice hockey competitions or activities authorized and organized by the IIHF or any IIHF Member National Association as of 14 September 2017. They have previously been suspended by the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine from activities in the country.

The IIHF will investigate into the alleged violation of IIHF Code of Conduct Rule 3.2 (Match Fixing Violations) and/or Rule 3.3.3 (Failing to cooperate with any reasonable investigation).

Both players are suspected to have been involved in a match-fixing attempt and were therefore suspended within Ukraine following investigations by the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine and the national police.

The incident happened at the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division I Group A in Kyiv, Ukraine, at the last game of the tournament on 28 April between Korea and Ukraine.

The players were allegedly involved in a match-fixing attempt in which Ukraine should have lost with a margin of at least two goals. However, the game ended with a 2-1 win for Korea in shootout.

After reviewing all available evidence and reports, including evidence of increased betting on a loss of the Ukrainian team by two or more goals, the IIHF has decided to open an investigation in the players’ alleged violations and requests the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine and the involved players to fully cooperate with the IIHF.]]>Fri, 15 Sep 2017 10:44:00 +0200World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekendhttp://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12006
Register your event now for 7/8 OctoberIt will be the seventh edition of the successful recruitment event to help grow women’s hockey around the world and it has helped to spread the sport to new regions both in established ice hockey countries and in newer ones.

For potential players from small girls to adult women the #WGIHW events will be a perfect opportunity to try out the sport in an organized event for beginners and to simply to have fun in a safe environment.

Whether you’re a national ice hockey association, a regional hockey body, a league, a club, a school or just a couple of friends with passion for hockey – everybody can organize and event and become part of this global campaign.

The IIHF provides online resources to make each event a success both on and off the ice.

Click here to register your event by 5th October.

Click here for more information on the World Girls’ Ice Hockey Weekend and to access reports and photos from the previous years.